After some minor distractions, we at Incoming Bytes are once again compelled to discover that the political campaigns in Canada's election are in full swing. The fact is, nothing exciting has happened. An election? Really??
The campaigns are already half over, so now what ? Nothing is new, or different, but should we expect it to be? The Canadian electorate has a right to be skeptical.
The glorious "Corporate-Approved" television debate was held sans Elizabeth May, the Green Party leader, but that didn't seem to make any difference; the one-on-one's were not exciting anyway, the counter-attacks were bland to non-existent, overall, it was dull and yawn-worthy; the participants performed much as were expected.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Conservative (minority) leader now wants a majority and is offering the saving of Canada from the coalition and the separatists and other terrible probabilities, and is insisting a majority will result in better government too.
But will it? Not likely. Is anyone really convinced? Isn't that fear-mongering? It doesn't work.
Michael Ignatieff, the intellect PM wannabe poo-poos the idea of a Conservative majority, saying that Harper et al cannot be trusted. He's probably right, for although all politicians seem trustworthy while campaigning, no politicians can be trusted once they are ELECTED. There is a subtle difference. The Liberal fortunes in this election are questionable. Polls aren't being nice..that's it.
The question the electorate really should be asking is:
" WHO can be trusted?"
The answer must be " Nobody" ; --and certainly not a "Michael Ignatieff Liberal " government either.
Liberals promised to protect Canada's Universal Health Care system-- (well, doesn't EVERYBODY PROMISE ? ) --but previous Liberal Governments reportedly hijacked a stash of cash from health care and U I to help defeat the deficit back in Paul Martin /Chretien days, balance the budget, play games, fun for all was had, --downloading costs to the provincial governments. Private clinics seem to be encouraged, popping up here and there....how cute.
The thin edge of ( the USA private health care health-care-only for money system ) wedge was smacked into the skulls of Canadians ...imagine that. Shall we trust Iggy? No. Shall we trust Stephen, who is on record as being pro-private enterprise in the field of health ? No.
There is little wonder Gilles Duceppe and the BLOC Quebecois plunk themselves down in plush leather chairs located in our Federal House of Commons, the better to keep an eye on federal scoundrels.
Nice office.... C'mon, Gilles,,, you got into the debate as a special interest representative, throwing red herrings around left and right, confusing the issue, so why can't you spread candidates far and wide across Canada so you would be a REAL Federal political party, and some people might even be tempted to vote for you? What's the matter, you afraid of losing ? We think so, but in the Big Bloc book, it's better to sit and whine, isn't it, and NEVER have to actually prove you have a better idea, a better system. Right. Form your own country. Ever heard of:
"Those who flee oppression oft' flee to oppression of their own?"
Stranger things have happened. What if Gilles did win a majority?
Being on location in Ottawa all the time, the Bloc can complain, promote the removal of not only Federal funds, by blackmail or otherwise, but help malcontents, even encourage in-house traitors to remove the very Province of Quebec itself from Canada..
....*alas.. Gilles and Co. are always content to decorate debates, sit on comfy leather, complain, and threaten another referendum.
A few tries later later Gilles has discovered it's quite a lot of fun and more profitable to blackmail Ottawa for big bucks and keep milking the glorious and generous Canadian Cow.
Imagine that. No fear of majority a la Gilles.
It seems that Jack Layton, the New Democratic leader, unhindered by his recent surgery and EXCELLENT medical treatments via the Universal Canadian Health system has recovered quite nicely ---whether it was a real hip replacement or not.....or just a little bit of metal, they say, not a real hip replacement, no matter what sis said. Just a slight family misunderstanding, it was.
Everyone says Jack did very well in the "official debates" ....and he continues to travel the country, recovering, shaking hands, smiling and laughing...and progressing surprisingly well in the polls too. Go figure. The Liberals and Michael are nervous, not surprisingly.
As for Elizabeth May, being excluded from the debate doesn't seem to have harmed her positive attitude at all. She hasn't got any "seats" yet, but she's got lots of Green and a pretty green platform to stand upon while she watches with interest, deciding which of the parties she should really consider a full merge with. Go figure... "Only in Canada", you say? (Yawn......)
That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.
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